The combination of two new roundabouts, an underpass and over 300 houses being built at the entrance to Cromwell will soon permanently change the town’s outlook, with the timing of the first roundabout build soon to be confirmed.A start date for work on the first roundabout adjacent to Nichols Garden Centre, originally set for spring, is not confirmed but an announcement is expected soon from Waka Kotahi(NZTA).A spokesperson said yesterday the tender and details for the work were still being finalised. They could not confirm whether work would still begin prior to the busy Christmas holiday period. The plan was announced in March this year with an estimated $8M roundabout at the intersection of State Highways 6 and 8B expected to be under construction for four to six months and completed in early 2022.The single-laned feature had been on the radar for some time due to the number of serious injury crashes and the upgrade was proceeding earlier than expected as one of the government’s Covid-19 response “Shovel Ready’ projects.WSP infrastructure company’s senior transport engineer, Richard Hilliard, told the Cromwell Community Board in March that the design allowed for dual lanes to be added later. Modelling had predicted this may not be needed until 2040. The first of two new roundabouts being built to accommodate Cromwell’s ongoing growth.The second single-lane roundabout at a cost of $7M at the entrance to the Wooing Tree subdivision is expected to be complete by mid-2022. The developers of the subdivision would fund this as well as a pedestrian underpass, according to Waka Kotahi.  Stage One and Two Sold OutMeanwhile the Wooing Tree subdivision – originally a vineyard – has proven popular with buyers from far and wide. It was first consented through a publically-notified process by Central Otago District Council in 2019. The approval included 210 residential sections and a centrally-located commercial area. The process attracted 48 submissions with some raising concern over housing density.A subsequent application by the developer to the government’s Covid Recovery Fast Track housing scheme increased that to 276 sections with two business development ‘superlots’ being moved to the State Highway entranceway.   These will be accessed via the new roundabout and underpass, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). The government agency, responsible for processing the application, reported that the two commercial lots would contain a new cellar door and café and possibly retail businesses. An earlier part of the development, off Shortcut Road, was approved for 32 residential sections bringing the total for the 25ha site to 308. Harcourts real estate agent Steve Cairns said stages one and two comprising around 160 sections were now fully sold.“It’s been a mix of buyers, stage one was more locals but stage two more out-of-towners. There were buyers from north of Auckland and right down to Invercargill.” In the first two stages of the development the section sizes range from 252sqm or one sixteenth of an acre, up to 731sqm, according to the development’s website. EDITOR’S NOTE: In the interests of transparency we record here that our journalist Jill Herron was a submitter to the original Wooing Tree consent application in 2019.

Millers Flat children may benefit from a revamped playground and tennis court area after the idea was given initial support by the Teviot Valley Community Board yesterday.Members of the Millers Flat Cavalcade Host Town Committee were keen to use funds raised from the event, being held early next year, in a way to benefit local families, the board were told.Committee chairperson Hilary Spedding said the group hoped to raise around $30,000 and had identified that an upgrade of the play area in the centre of town was much-needed.The council-owned plot near the war memorial had two concrete courts that were now uneven and two swings.She said quotes to upgrade the whole area to a suitable standard had totalled around $200,000 and that grant money would also be needed.The Community Board were invited to come and view the current playground.Cavalcade Host Town Committee chairperson Hilary Spedding addresses the Teviot Valley Community Board yesterday.“We are asking for permission to do something about it. I feel you need to stand and look at it as it is a bit disappointing and it’s right in the middle of Millers Flat. It does need some attention,” Hilary said."The addition of an all-weather surface was a possibility as a cost-effective option and could be laid on top of concrete. Passing cyclists, who were numerous, could also be catered for in a picnic-type area," she said.Board chairperson Raymond Gunn agreed the idea had merit, as did board members and the group were encouraged to continue with concept and costings plans.

 Construction of the Lake Dunstan Water treatment plant and bore field will cost Central Otago ratepayers $6.9 million more than originally forecast due to an increase in scope and the escalating costs of materials, freight and labour, according to a statement released yesterday by the Central Otago District Council. "The Lake Dunstan Water Supply upgrade project was consulted on with the community in the 2018 Long-term Plan. Construction of the new treatment plant was originally scheduled to be completed by mid-2020, but has been delayed due to the discovery of lindavia algae in Lake Dunstan. In response, Council had to trial alternate water treatment methods, the results of which led to the design of a different and more expensive micro-filtration method of treatment." The statement outlined that the original design estimate for the project of $9.2 million had now now jumped to $16.1 million. "This increased cost reflects an increased project scope that includes the upgrade to membrane treatment to filter lindavia, the requirement for a larger building needed for the layout of the membrane plant, and facilities to meet improved health and safety requirements, add resilience and provide for future growth.  Given the increase in project budget, the contractor and supplier cost estimates were comprehensively reviewed by council staff and by an independent party, Morrison Low & Associates Ltd, and reported back to the Council at its November meeting. This review concluded that the overall cost estimates were reasonable and in line with market pricing. It was reported that differences from the original estimate were largely related to changes in scope, and Covid-related material, freight and labour cost increases that could not have been anticipated. It is also recognised that some parts of the original estimate were optimistic." Capital Projects Programme Manager Patrick Keenan said in the statement that Covid-19 lockdowns and ongoing disruption to international material supply and shipping continued to have a significant impact on the progress of the project, and the projected completion date was now April 2023. Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said despite the significant cost increase, setbacks and complications the project has faced, Central Otago District Council “remains focused on the positive outcomes for the community in delivering the Lake Dunstan Water Supply”. “The project will provide good quality low-lime drinking water, and a safe and resilient water supply for people living and working in Alexandra and Clyde. The level of treatment that will be provided will give confidence that Alexandra and Clyde water supplies will meet the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards in what will be a more regulated industry.  “I also recognise that people in Alexandra have been waiting a very long time for better quality drinking water and that the delays causing an April 2023 completion date will be unwelcome news. However, with shipping issues effecting components coming from overseas, there is little Council can do about that.” The $16.1 million project includes a $3.7 million contract to Pall Marshall Water Consortium for the membrane treatment process equipment. The contract for the remainder of the project scope has been awarded to Fulton Hogan and works include construction of the water treatment plant building, reservoirs, pipe works, telemetry systems and the bore field.  At its November meeting Council resolved for $6.92 million to be included in the 2022/23 Annual Plan to fund the increase in scope and cost of the Lake Dunstan Water Supply project. 

Sending the kids off to play mini-golf by Cromwell’s iconic Big Fruit may become a thing of the past unless the long-running activity can secure its future at the site.Shona Rae is in her twentieth year of running Cromwell Mini-Golf and is well known to families from all over Otago and Southland, who return year after year.“I’ve seen their kids grow up and then they get too big for mini-golf and go off. There’s families that drive up from Alexandra to come and play golf then they’ll visit the playground next door, go to Subway and sometimes go and look at the pets at Nichols{Garden Centre}. It’s an affordable outing.”Shona’s twenty year lease expired nearly four months ago but she says she has been trying to renegotiate a new lease with Central Otago District Council for over a year. The council have stated, Shona says, that they must allow for a possible new park to be built on the site, despite no firm plans or timeframes for such a development existing.The shortened term of a new lease being offered - reduced from 20 years to two years, with a right of renewal for another two - is far from ideal, she says, especially with the second two-year term able to be cancelled by council giving six months’ notice at any time.The arrangement offered no future security for the business making it unviable for anyone else to take on and effectively worthless as an asset, Shona claims.In August last year the Cromwell Community Board offered the new lease on a recommendationfrom council property staff. Future plans for the site, identified in the spatial plan part of the ‘Eye to The Future’ Masterplan, marked the area as a ‘Gateway Precinct’ with a possible World of Difference gateway park located on the mini-golf site, Shona says.While developments were understood to be some way off, Shona said the council were now reluctant to offer her a longer lease in case it compromised their ability to go ahead with the possible park development.Staff had outlined to the Board that the disadvantages of offering her the shorter lease included the likelihood that the security of tenancy she wanted would not eventuate and that the site may be vacated.Families sometimes stop for lunch across the road at Subway then came back and finish their round at Cromwell Mini-Golf, owner Shona Rae says.“It’s one of the few affordable things for families to do here,” Shona says, “it’s only $7 for a child and $10 for an adult and it’s a tourism asset for Cromwell. Too valuable an asset to just throw out.”In the spring school holidays 165 locals, 91 visitors from surrounding areas and 135 from the wider region played mini-golf. The business had been popular for work functions, school holiday programmes and school camp groups for many years.“We draw customers off the highway and this benefits other businesses too.”With over 10 years as a volunteer on the Cromwell lamp; Districts Promotion Group Shona says she has a strong interest in the industry and had attended recent council-run workshops on future Tourism planning. Tourism staff had attempted to help but had advised that lease arrangements were outside of their areas of responsibility. A drawing from the Cromwell Masterplan spatial plan document showing a possible new park at the site of a current Mini-golf business.A Central Otago District Council spokesperson yesterday confirmed the lease offered had to be in line with future plans for the area.“The shorter-term renewal and 6 month cancellation clause was applied to align with the proposals identified in the Cromwell Spatial Plan. The approach is consistent with other leases which allows lessee to continue trading until plans for the land were finalised. For the mini golf lease it meant no rent review because of the limited security of the tenure and did not preclude a further renewal after 2025."The Spatial Plan identifies the land as a Gateway Precinct, and a 'World of Difference gateway park’ adjacent to the Big Fruit sculpture as a welcoming space and destination, with the landscaping to reflect the Central Otago/Cromwell basin.”

Christchurch-based firm Jasmax, working with Cromwell architect Jess Sutherland as a design partner, have been chosen to undertake the $2.2M design contract for Cromwell’s new hall and cultural centre. Members of the Cromwell Community Board were told yesterday that the firm, a multidisciplinary design practice, would be undertaking the role.Jess Sutherland has a long association with the project, already producing much work around gathering ideas through membership of the volunteer-based Cromwell Cultural Centre Trust(CCCT).The lakeside site is off Melmore Terrace where the existing Memorial Hall, which will be demolished, now stands.The Board were told by Central Otago District Council by property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson that the group had presented their ideas “exceptionally well”.“Jasmax really delivered and we’re very excited to get into the project,” he said.The $16M facility has been costed based on a 2000sqm size and a Project Advisory Group of two Cromwell Community Board members and two council staff has been formed to help guide progress for the long-awaited development.They will be part of a larger project and technical team, with a five-strong community ‘stakeholders’ group also having input.Jess had earlier been appointed to the latter group as a representative of the CCCT and discussions would now be held as to whether she would remain or allow another representative to take her place, the meeting heard.Five South Island based firms had submitted tenders for the design contract. Work is scheduled to start next July.

The work of volunteers who run a Naseby information and craft centre welcoming visitors to the town, was acknowledged yesterday with the granting of $4000 for operational costs, despite council recommending its application be declined.Central Otago District Council community development officer, Nikki Aaron told members of the Maniototo Community Board yesterday that the group’s application, which was for a community grant, should have been applied for from the promotional grant fund.  “The funds are totally different and this one doesn’t fit that fund.”The two funds have different criteria and the group could have applied for promotional funding from March next year which would have been likely to paid, if approved, by May, she said.Board member Sue Umbers spoke in support of the small group who she said provided a service for extended periods of time in what was the only place people could find information.She believed the group met a lot of the criteria for a community grant particularly in looking after locals needs as well as that of visitors.“Naseby [information centre] is open to everyone, visitors and locals alike, it has a bigger benefit in the overall picture. It would be a shame to make those Naseby ones struggle.” Maniototo board meetingCouncil Marketing and Media manager, Alison Mason, said if the group applied in future to the promotional fund, its operations in relation to the ratepayer-funded Ranfurly information centre would have to be assessed.Museum and Pool SupportedThe Maniototo Early Settlers Association were also successful in securing $8,332 in the funding round after applying for $10,000.It was the first time the group had had to apply under the council’s new contestable funding system aimed at opening up opportunities to more groups. Previously the amount had been allocated annually. No case had been provided by the Association for an increase to $10,000 from the $8,332 annual amount, according to a council report.The group run a museum in Naseby which was opened by locals 86 years ago, housing donated exhibitions from early settlers representing 15 different nationalities. A part time curator is supported by volunteers. The Board also contributed $2500 of it’s $15,000 total community grant budget toward the re-roofing of the Oturehua community swimming pool.Snow and wind had again damaged the facility’s plastic roofing and a more permanent structure was planned. This would allow extended usage beyond a few short weeks over summer, better changing rooms and the potential to attract cyclists and others.The Ida Valley Pool Trust, who manage the facility, had applied for $10,000 and council had recommended $5000 be given.The group have already raised $62,000 as well as $11,000 in community contributions toward the $80,000-plus project.

Most of us don’t give a thought to what’s holding us up when we rumble over bridges every day, as rivers slip silently by below.Central Otago has 179 bridges on its council register, from non-descript modern concrete slabs to creaky wooden nonagenarians that are nearing the end of their days.All require maintenance and monitoring by the Central Otago District Council on a tight budget – and $250,000 a year for structural repairs doesn’t go far. Government provides funds via Waka Kotahi(NZTA) but when it comes to major works it’s a bridge too far to think that all that now need replacing will be replaced.According to roading manager James McCallum, one new bridge can easily cost half a million dollars – considerably more expensive than a box culvert or wash-over ford. He has been tasked with sorting out Central’s aging network in way that best serves everyone’s needs and safety, but is also realistic financially.A major new project is underway to closely inspect all Central’s bridges - over a third of them are in the Maniototo - and assess the needs of the community, to form a strategy for where and how funds are spent. The region’s first ever bridge network strategy will not be completed for nearly two years but council say normal inspection and maintenance is continuing in the meantime.Trucking companies that serve the Maniototo likely already curse its endless gravel roads that are not kind to tyres.Increasingly now there are time consuming detours that can involve wet and slippery routes they would rather avoid. With bridges around that the locals joke are only being held up by the railway irons running across the top, the council’s project will be welcomed.Mr McCallum confirmed that Maniototo residents won’t have to wait until 2023 for some action on the most recent bridge issues, caused by the January floods.The 1930-built Scott Lane Bridge lost a large chunk in the floods and the Maniototo Road and Linnburn Runs Road bridges were closed. All three were already heavily weight restricted prior to the flood, due to their age and condition, the event highlighting the bigger picture of an aging network across the region.  What remains of the Scott Lane bridge following floods earlier this yearAffected farmers and residents have been expressing nine months of frustration over the latest damage, to their local government representatives on the Maniototo Community Board.Board chairman Robert Hazlett last week also gave an example of a bridge that had been restricted to light traffic for two or three years with no action taken.Board chairman Robert Hazlett At the board’s monthly meeting last week he passed on resident’s concerns to Mr McCallum.“It’s not an easy solution no matter what you do but ratepayers just want some answers about when it[repair work] is going to happen,” Mr Hazlett said. Mr McCallum, who took on the role 12 months ago, said more roading staff had been needed at council and finding people difficult. Worse still the small pool of structural engineers normal available in the South Island to carry out the necessary principal inspections, had been under pressure.Inspections of the damaged bridges scheduled for July and September were hampered by access being difficult due to high water levels in the Taieri River. There was also flood-related work effecting “lifeline” bridges in Canterbury and Malborough which took priority for the engineers… not to mention a pandemic.“There was a pre-existing industry shortage of engineers across the country before the Covid pandemic. Covid has however caused further time delay as a result of the Covid lockdown restriction levels. Further lockdowns would obviously lead to further time delay on inspection, repairs or replacement,” he said.Engineering consultants Beca were currently working on the Maniototo situation and would soon present options for the best “cost-effective alternative structure” for the Scott Lane site. Rebuilding the existing bridge is not being considered, according to a council report. The council would assess these and options for the other two sites.Meanwhile, over the coming months drivers shouldn’t worry if they spot someone drilling a hole in a bridge or poking about below in a boat.Across the whole district, bridges of all sizes and ages will be coming under close scrutiny by engineers, with the draft strategy expected to be completed by council by mid next year.The public will get their say in early 2023 – or possibly late 2022 - and final approval is due mid-2023. 

People from all walks of life are expected to be motivated to help beautify the Lake Dunstan shoreline by the installation of a community tool shed at McNulty Inlet.The $20,000 project by Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust was given a funding boost of $8,580 yesterday by the Cromwell Community Board, through its community grants.This would cover purchasing and fitting out a 10ft container near the Inlet toilets but not the cost of tools themselves, estimated at over $11,000.   Trust Community Engagement Coordinator Megan Phillips told the board groups in Cromwell had been seeking funding for tools individually and to have a community set free to use would enable them to use funds for other projects.A booking system would be set up for tool use, she said. Land Information New Zealand(LINZ), who administer the site, had agreed to consider the project once funding was shown to be available. She believed the facility would encourage community spirit and give people a sense of ownership of the lake shore. The Trust had applied for $20,088.44 from the Board but with only $49, 925 available in total for community grants each year, it was felt that to give the whole amount would eat into what is now a contestable fund too greatly.The Trust secured just over $1M from LINZ as part of the governments ‘Jobs for Nature’ programme, to carry out restoration projects and surveys, and employ staff for four years. That fund was not available for extra projects such as the tool shed.Planting native species is a key part of the Trust’s work on the shoreline, which was currently uninhabitable for these plants. This was due to nutrient deficient soils and the presence of pest species.Consent Fees Paid BackThe Cromwell Lions and Rotary Club’s charity house build will have council consent fees repaid via a grant of $4,937 also approved yesterday. The groups, relying heavily on volunteers, have built a house which will be auctioned. The proceeds will go to the new St John ambulance station in Cromwell.  Wrong BucketTwo applications for community grants were declined due to directing their request for money to the “wrong bucket” of council funds. The Central Otago Motorcycle Club had misunderstood the process in asking for funds for lease fees for its site off Bannockburn Road. The premises are on Board endowment land and the lease should be funded through a rent rebate, the meeting heard.The Club, which last year had over 150 track users and over 300 members, has been receiving a rental rebate since 2007. The Cromwell Speedway, also located on endowment land, had applied for $20,000 for promotional and maintenance work which didn’t fully fit with community grant criteria, community development officer Nikki Aaron said. Cromwell Youth Trust, which had flourished over recent years, had its application for $60,000 for a new youth worker declined yesterday. Since applying the group had secured some funds toward the role and also because it was an ongoing cost, the board felt it would not be appropriate to approve it.Deputy Mayor and Board member, Neil Gillespie, said there had been support in the past such as building the extension to the resource centre where the Trust operate and he questioned going “above and beyond that”.Deputy Mayor and Board member, Neil Gillespie“They have gone ahead in leaps and bounds but we might be better to look at project-based funding.”  Groups had initially been invited to apply for three years of funding under the new contestable system but it was now to be reviewed and only one year of grants are currently being issued throughout Central Otago.The next funding round opens in March next year.

The discovery of some extra funds in the Teviot Valley Community Board’s promotional budget yesterday encouraged members to support a late application from organisers of next year’s Cavalcade host town celebrations.Around 400 horse-riders, cyclists and walkers are expected to converge in Millers Flat on March 5 for a country fete and evening hoedown.Much-loved entertainers the Topp Twins were already “super enthused” about performing at the event, committee member Deborah Dons told the board.With 600 to 700 people expected to stay overnight and up to 4000 people to be involved over the whole event, there was great potential the promote the valley to visitors and those looking to join the local workforce, she said.Central Otago District Council media and marketing manager, Alison Mason, informed the board yesterday that over and above the $2000 set aside for promotional grants this year, the board still had over $14,000 in its Roxburgh promotional reserve fund.The group were granted $2500 from the reserve funds toward hiring a marquee. Five hundred dollars from the promotional grants fund was allocated to the Teviot Valley Cherry Chaos Event Management and Marketing group for a celebration scheduled for the 8th and 9th of January next year.Cherry Chaos aimed to recognize the contribution of visiting backpackers and their contribution to the summer fruit harvest but with fewer of the workers here, there was some doubt the event would proceed. Organisers had acknowledged that if the event did not go ahead the money would be repaid.Organiser Martin McPherson spoke to the board yesterday of the degree of uncertainty surrounding the event also stemming from mixed levels of support from orchard owners.The Central Otago District Arts Trust applied for $700 toward its Cover to Cover literary event but as this was Vincent-based it was declined.At least $1500 would be available for promotional grants in the area at the next funding round in March.Brass Band to Play OnThe future of the Roxburgh Pioneer Energy Brass Band would have been in doubt without financial support granted yesterday for running its band room and secretarial work, according to a report.A part of the Roxburgh community for nearly 140 years, they were valued for appearances at ANZAC day parades, free concerts, Christmas and rest home performances.As the only brass band in Central Otago members travelled from throughout the district to support performances far and wide, the meeting heard.The group applied for $2000 for operational costs with council recommending $1500 be granted from the Board’s total for community grants for the year of $5000. Board chairman Raymond Gunn, however, felt they provided benefit throughout Central Otago and was supported by other members in asking they be given the full amount applied for.“They play a lot out of this valley and I think it is very important we support this band.”The funding round was the first under the CODC’s newly-contestable grants system and a review of how it had performed was scheduled for next month.

Central Otago’s water infrastructure, like many others nationwide, is in need of considerable investment but the way government has gone about taking over that responsibility has drawn the ire of many people.Petitions and opinions quickly began swirling around yesterday, following the government’s announcement it intended to “push on” with nationwide changes taking water services away from local councils.Drinking water, storm and wastewater are currently a part of council operations and Central Otago District Council Mayor Tim Cadogan said yesterday it was disappointing but no surprise that the changes known as the Three Waters reforms were now being mandated.The impact on rural communities was a particular concern.Central Otago generally had good standards of town water, he said, but major upgrades were now needed, he said.“The quality is good generally, but it doesn’t comply with the National Drinking Water standards. Up until the last month or so, those standards weren’t enforced but the passing of the Water Services Bill means they now will be. Council determined in the 2018 Long Term Plan to bring all our treatment plants up to standard by 2028”.The Clyde Alexandra water supply was due for major works, he said. Mayor Tim Cadogan says protesting the mandate is unlikely to change anything “The previous supply and the one that still supplies Clyde does not filter the water. The new plant has to filter under the now-enforced standards. Unfortunately a bug known as Lindavia was found during trials in Lake Dunstan meaning the filtration is going to cost several million dollars more because the cheaper system that was planned to be used was highly ineffective with Lindavia present. This is also a significant part of why getting better water to Alexandra has been delayed. Filtration will need to be added to most of our other plants into the future.”The biggest issue in Central, however, was wastewater and retaining current systems was not going to be feasible.“Presently 92% of Centrals treated wastewater goes to other water bodies. We know that is not going to be acceptable into the future and the other option, being disposal to land, is going to be very expensive.”While having government take on the issues would have benefits, the introduction process and potential lack of control of the reforms was cause for concern.He said the government had failed to explain properly why the reforms were needed or why the system chosen was favoured and this had roused much opposition.He described a television advertising campaign featuring cartoon people and dirty water pouring from pipes as “unhelpful, uninformative and divisive”.Advertising campaign that was broadcast on Television“That combination of an information vacuum and rampant misinformation has led to an entirely predictable and understandable public backlash. That, in turn, in my view has been a significant factor that has led the Government to a choice between calling the whole thing off or forcing it through; and I am not surprised it has taken the latter option.”Central Otago will become part of one of four new governance entities, in three years time. The region will be included in the entity which is largest geographically, covering most of the South island. With the region’s population being small he hoped our influence in how things were run under the new scheme would not be equally diminutive, but was optimistic there would be opportunity for input into the setting-up process. “That there is a Working Group to be formed to continue to work on crucial parts of the proposal gives some hope that councils’ voices will still be heard in refining what we have been given. There is still a lot of work that can be done to try to influence much needed changes to the final outcome, especially from a rural perspective such as ours, and that is where I intend to put my focus and energy.”Meanwhile rural residents in particular who were concerned about the future of their water infrastructure should gear up to have their say, according to Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard."Federated Farmers, a majority of local authorities and many New Zealanders have voiced serious misgivings over the government’s plans for council three waters assets to be transferred to four new mega entities. We remain opposed to this plan. The government’s announcement today that this will be mandatory is a huge call," Andrew said.The government had earlier indicated that councils could have the option to opt out of the new system but yesterday the Minister of Local Government, Nania Mahuta, said all must be in for the reforms to work properly. She said the changes were necessary because many councils would not have the ability to undertake essential upgrades of pipes and plants on their own. According to the Department of Internal Affairs, the Three Waters assets would transfer from the councils to the new entities and would “sit on the balance sheet” of the entities. Councils would, however, collectively own the Water Service Entity providing services for their district.The Department’s website states that communities will retain an influence on three waters assets and services through their council and other mechanisms that provide for “direct input” into key strategic planning processes, including asset management planning, investment prioritisation and pricing and charging..Mayor Tim said the CODC would be discussing the issue next week but indicated that protesting the mandate was unlikely.“I am more attracted to working with what we have in front of us to try to get the best outcome moving forward than expending a lot of time and energy in making noise about something that won’t change.”

Putting up with poor water quality in the future would be “rude as” according to the government’s TV adverts, but many in Central Otago feel the way changes are being pushed through to fix the problem is equally impolite.Residents Janet McDonald and Gill Booth told the Central Otago District Council’s elected members at a meeting on the 4th November, that it took almost no prompting of people to gather 731 signatures on their petition opposing the Three Waters reforms.  The petition decries the mandating of centralisation of drinking, waste and storm water management into four large entities. The way the government had handled the process was “an affront to democracy”, Janet said.The meeting heard that wide ranging improvement in water management is much-needed but the government’s proposal to centralise control of infrastructure, and its move to now make the changes without promised public consultation, has met far-reaching opposition. Janet told the council, during an online public forum, that people would not accept the by-passing of public consultation and urged council not to accept it either.“As the people of Central Otago’s elected representatives, it is not good enough to throw your hands in the air and say we cannot do anything about it. The council is the house of the people so represent us.”Councillors unanimously expressed frustration and anger at the government’s change in stance to remove opportunity for public consultation and the ability to opt out of the reforms. Cr Neil Gillespie said council needed to send a clear message to government in a way that would achieve something.“The community has been underdone big time. It is an unmitigated disaster in how to engage with communities and take them with you.”Many, including Cr Stuart Duncan, felt uncomfortable with having told local residents there would be consultation, then having to retract that following the announcement by the Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, on October 27 that joining the reforms would become mandatory for all of New Zealand’s 67 councils.“We would have been a good team to debate against the government and stick up for our communities. We never got that chance, we were silenced,” he said.This week the council will publish an open letter to government reflecting their discontent and Mayor Tim Cadogan said his appointment to a national working group focusing on representation, governance and accountability of the proposed water entities, would give opportunity to try and get the best possible outcome for Central Otago.He is one of three South Island elected members on the group and will join six from the North Island and nine iwi/Maori members with representatives from both islands.His role on the working group was also to help be a voice for smaller communities and councils throughout New Zealand.The group had government-imposed limitations however, on its powers to change and influence actual outcomes and it also would not be addressing two additional areas of concern.The risk of future privatisation of water assets and the need to secure enhanced consumer protection for ratepayers were outside of the group’s scope, he said.“What the outcomes will be, I don’t know.”

The demand for robust facilities to lock-up criminals declined significantly in Clyde once the lively goldrush days were over. Those that fell foul of the law from the late 1930s enjoyed a light-filled room with high ceilings and large windows.The Clyde Police Lock-up was built next to the sergeant’s house in Blyth Street in 1938. Since then the small weatherboard building has been shuffled around various locations, mostly housing stored goods rather than law-breakers. Now with imminent development of a section adjacent to its present site at the rear of the Blyth Street museum, the tiny wooden building is on the move again.A conservation plan recommended in 2014 that an “adaptive reuse” for the mustard-coloured Lock-up be found - one that gave it more prominence and allowed public enjoyment of it.Yesterday the Vincent Community Board approved a plan to move it to a site on the Clyde Railway Station Recreation Reserve. A lease will be granted to the Clyde Historical Museum Group over 30m at the site.Members of the Vincent Community Board discuss how best to relocate the Clyde Lock-Up, at a livestreamed meeting yesterday. The Museum group had wanted the Lock-up moved to the front of its current museum building on Blyth Street but the board felt the railway station site would be more permanent and avoid the historical building risking yet another relocation.It was hoped a commercial cycling business may help with providing the public access to the building, as they currently do for the museum in the railway building.The $46,000 relocation, which must take place before September next year, will be funded from the Vincent general reserves fund. 

A sewage overflow in Mead Avenue at the weekend was not the first for the Cromwell street, according to Central Otago District Council Water Services Manager, Ian Evans. A blockage caused by fat in a wastewater pipe in Anderson Park has been identified as the cause of the incident, he said. Residents reported seeing and smelling sewage flowing from a maintenance chamber, across the street and into stormwater drains on Saturday. Cars and cyclists, unaware of the issue, were observed driving through the liquid. Ian says the height of the Mead Avenue chamber has contributed to past overflows.“The wastewater maintenance chamber in Mead Avenue is at the lowest point in the catchment. As it is the lowest point, there have been previous overflows but from blockages in different areas of the system.”The issue of blockages caused by what people send down the pipes is not unique to Cromwell. He urged people to “think before they flush” or before they send fats or oils down the sinkhole.“There is district wide issue of blockages in the wastewater system caused by non-flushable items such as wet wipes being flushed and fats and oils being rinsed down household drains.Once fats and oils enter the wastewater system, they solidify and cause blockages such as the one that caused this overflow.”He said the overflow impacted stormwater which may have resulted in flow to the river area behind Bell Avenue. “Samples have been collected and signage has been erected which will remain in place until we have confirmation from sampling that there is no impact.”He said the clean-up at Mead Avenue had been delayed due to a separate and unrelated issue at Pisa Moorings which involved a pumpstation problem.An internal inspection of the pipes using CCTV may be undertaken after the council reviews this and past leakage incidents. 

Supporting museums financially should be a “core function” of local government, according to Malcom Macpherson, the new chairperson of the Alexandra and Districts Museum Inc(ADMI).The issue of district council grants becoming contestable between any community groups, had caused uncertainties for the museum, he told the Vincent Community Board(VCB) this week.“In a local authority heritage and history and the museum sector should be core business. It is as important to the well-being of the community as good drainage, good water and safe roads in my view. It ought to be a line item in the council’s budgets.”Speaking in a public forum at a livestreamed meeting on Tuesday, Mr Macpherson thanked the board for its recent support but emphasised that facing uncertainty around funding on an annual basis was very unsettling and made it difficult to retain good staff. He believed any expectation that such an organisation could function on volunteer support alone was “nonsense”.“There are a number of roles in a museum of this size and complexity that only professionals can perform. We need to be able to offer professionals careers, not 12 month gigs.” ADMI which operates as Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, received around $73,500 from the Vincent CommunityBoard for the 2020/21 financial year, according to a VCB report. The grant contributed to operational costs of the museum and art gallery.“ADMI has shown initiative over the past year to create new sources of income to help run the museum. However, this has been challenging due to the restrictions of the business use within the lease,” the report stated.The board were told an idea to hire out bicycles conflicted with the lease, as did advertising information services. The latter clashed with CODC’s arrangement with Unichem Pharmacy as the town’s designated information provider.Central Stories museum and gallery in Alexandra.Mr macpherson said the gallery is booked for much of next year and a new summer festival incorporating exhibitions and events was about to be launched.The Central Otago District Council recently indicated they would review the new contestable system of distributing promotional and community grants. The aim had been to open up opportunities to new and more diverse community groups.At its October meeting the board heard that future funding methods to address the security of the museum’s operation were also being assessed.

Thirty Alexandra residents have put their names to a letter to the Central Otago District Council(CODC) expressing “desperate concern” over the planned felling of a 14ha stand of pines at the southern entrance to the town.The residents were shocked to discover via local media on October 8 that the mature pines growing on a council-owned recreational reserve were to be felled within days, neighbour Ken Churchill said.  According to a CODC press release they had been identified as wilding pines and as a seed source for the spread of the invasive pest species, into surrounding hill country.The work was delayed for some weeks after the residents contacted council to express their concerns and CODC began plans for landscaping options to be implemented after the trees were removed, he said.A second delay has now occurred following more complaints, with residents now welcoming the Vincent Community Board’s move to allow more discussion prior to the felling.“The Board is well aware of the community’s views regarding the sensitive issue of the Half Mile Reserve. We hear this loud and clear,” chairman Martin McPherson said.During a public-excluded part of its monthly meeting this week, the Board outlined its desire for council staff to discuss the matter with the wider community and for people to be given the opportunity to provide input. They acknowledged council’s responsibility to control wilding pines at the Half Mile, Lower Manorburn Dam, Alexandra Airport and Boot Hill but said the Board had a responsibility to the community to listen to concerns and views on the Half Mile, the restoration proposal, costings and timings of the operation, before any felling occurred.Mr Churchill and neighbour Chris Winter said people had been deeply affected by the potential loss of what to them, was a well-loved and well-used shady walking area and a treasured part of the wider neighbourhood.  “There’s been a massive increase in Tui, Wood Pigeon and Bellbird in the last ten years. People collect cones, there’s trials bike people that hold competitions here. People walk their dogs and bring the grandkids. It’s Alexandra’s best kept secret,” Mr Winter said.The birds mainly roosted in the forest after satisfying their culinary requirements in neighbours gardens, and skinks and lizards were also plentiful, he said. Work to reduce rabbit numbers through removal of briar, broom and gorse as food and shelter sources for the pests, had been working well. Native species had been planted but some were not thriving due to the lack of water. All the work was done informally and there was no committee, rosters or rules.A view from the Half Mile reserve looking south-east where wilding pines occur on hill country. At left are conifers growing at neighbouring Jolendale Park.The pair had been asking older residents about the plot’s history and had been told original tree plantings were done by a group known as ‘The Men of Trees’ which included the late Jolyon Manning and the Schaumann family. They believed the land had originally been gifted to the community to provide a greenbelt shelter for the entrance to town, similar to the large block of pines at Alexandra’s northern entrance.Mr Manning also planted many conifers on his own neighbouring forest block which is now permanently protected by a QEII National Trust for Open Space covenant.    Their information contrasted to that of CODC who stated the Half Mile pines were not planted but “most likely self-seeded from nearby trees over the past 30-40 years”. The Council envisaged that the reserve could be enhanced for a range of recreational activities after the trees were felled, as well as providing an attractive entrance into Alexandra.“There is real potential for this reserve once the trees have been removed and the existing rock and archaeological features exposed. There are two pre-1900 water races, a sluice gulch remnant and the historic Alexandra-Roxburgh Road alignment, which could be featured,” CODC parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said. He said Council will be working with the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Group with the CODC contribution to the Half Mile and Lower Manorburn reserves’ wilding removal set at around $25,000.The balance will be funded by the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Trust using government funding.The residents say they have no evidence that the block was not contributing to the spread of wilding pines which they acknowledged were a serious threat to landscapes. They believed, however, from observations over many years that seeding rates were low and that many pines seen on bare hillsides across the Clutha River were likely seeded deliberately as shelter for stock or from any of a myriad of local seed sources.In a letter from ‘Concerned Neighbours and Residents of Alexandra’, the group said they believed the felling would cause greater harm than good in environmental terms. “It is the environmental impact that is of greater concern. Without these trees the current wildlife habitat will be lost resulting in significant ecological damage to our area.”Chris Winter(left) and Ken Churchill walk through the undeveloped Half Mile reserve this week.They welcomed the opportunity to attend a drop-in session - aimed at getting feedback on a draft concept plan to enhance the area post-felling - but principally in the hope that it would allow an opportunity for people to express the desire to keep the trees.The session takes place on Monday, November 22, at the Alexandra Community Centre from 4pm to 6.30pm.Mr McPherson also welcomed the opportunity to discuss council’s plan and encouraged the community to come and have its say “in a constructive manner to assist the board”.

An “absolutely fabulous” public art sculpture and a big screen for Molyneux Park were among the five projects who failed to gain council funding this week. Nine others were successful, sharing over $114,000 in community grants.The Vincent Community Board were faced with the onerous task of allocating grants under a new contestable system which succeeded in its aim to open up the opportunity to a wider range of applicants.Central Otago District Council community development officer Nikki Aaron told the meeting the Vincent ward had been the most successful in the region in attracting new applicants. Groups had initially been invited to apply for three years of funding but the council now wished to review the system and would only allocate grants for one year at present. She anticipated a new funding round to be open by March next year.One newcomer involving a project to erect a large bird sculpture near Dairy Creek was met with enthusiasm by the board.At the lengthy meeting on Monday, Marnie Kelly of Historic Clyde Inc. spoke of the group’s request for $28,500 toward the $74,000 total cost to complete the project.Marnie Kelly of Historic Clyde Inc. “At present the entrances to Clyde from the state highway consist of a mish-mash of many signs including a very outdated Welcome to Clyde sign. Our group agree that Clyde needs a new image that will be unique and recognisable so we’ve chosen a sculpture of the Karearea, New Zealand’s native falcon. It will be Clyde’s first public art piece.”She said the falcon would be mounted on a 3m to 4m pole and incorporate an historic gold mining pipe as part of the mounting. Well-known Glenorchy sculptor Dan Kelly would create the piece using low maintenance recycled materials such as flattened warratahs from the Maniototo to form its 5m wide wingspan.Deputy chairman Russell Garbutt praised the idea but the board agreed that funding limitations would not allow them to help finance the project. “I think their idea is absolutely fabulous. It sounds magnificent,” he said.The group would be approached for more information with the possibility of applying again being left open.Also declined was a request from Otago Country Cricket for $25,000 toward an electronic scoreboard at Molyneux Park. CODC staff had recommended $10,000 be given but the majority of the board felt the group should work with other users of the Park to find ways of funding and supporting the project.Cr Ian Cooney, who voted against declining the application, felt the project would benefit winter sports users and the whole sporting community. Others felt ample council support had already been given.The remaining three projects that failed to gain funds were Bolder Inn who requested $10,003 for equipment and uniforms for a climbing wall facility, the Earnscleugh Irrigation Company who sought $24,375 for riparian enhancement of Fraser River and the Ophir Welfare Committee who requested $1500 for swimming pool operations.The Alexandra District Museum received a further $61,758 following an earlier $18,242 hardship grant. How the museum is supported is currently being reassessed by council to allow more future financial security, the meeting heard.The Shaky Bridge Reserve group received their full amount of $9,393 for planting and Keep Alexandra Clyde Beautiful were granted $2500 of a requested $8,475. The work of the Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust, particularly in supporting other community groups was praised by the board. They were granted the full amount requested of $5,450 to expand a native plant nursery. Both Galloway(granted $5000) and Earnscleugh($1500) Halls were supported, along with the Salvation Army($297).The Alexandra Community Advice Network received $4000(requested $5000) and Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust received the full amount requested of $6000 for operational costs. 

A tight time frame for planning Cromwell’s long-awaited new hall does not mean the process is being rushed, according to Cromwell Community Board chairperson Anna Harrison.A work programme has been set out which included first forming a project team, advisory group and external stakeholder group, the latter consisting of five community groups. At a meeting on Tuesday however, the Board gave authority to the Central Otago District Council’s chief executive, Sanchia Jacobs, to award the design tender for the project.  This was due to the tight timeframe surrounding the project, according to a report. Funding of $2.2M has been approved for the design project with the total cost for the facility set at $16M plus $6M for a new museum at the lakeside site.The tender evaluation process, running through November, closes after the Board’s final meeting for 2021 which means it would not be able to come before the Board in time for a design contract to start this year.A tender evaluation panel would consist of CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson and project manager, property, Darren Penketh, who would brief the chief executive on their findings.They would invite the Board’s advisory group to presentations and keep them informed but the group would not be permitted to vote on decisions. If disagreements arose, the report states, it was possible that authority for awarding the design contract could revert to the full Community Board.Construction of the 2000sqm building at the site of the existing hall is set to begin in July next year.  A request has been advertised, asking firms for proposals to “create, collaborate and contract manage the demolition of the existing Cromwell Memorial Hall and the construction of a new Cromwell Memorial Hall/Events centre”.Drawings supplied to council by the Cromwell Cultural Centre Trust(CCCT), who have accepted a seat on the external stakeholders group, were included in the advertised request for proposals. The advisory group consists of Cr Nigel McKinlay, Anna Harrison, CODC property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson and executive manager, planning and environment Louise van der Voort. The five groups who have accepted invitations to the stakeholders group are the CCCT, Cromwell RSA, Fine Thyme Theatre, Cromwell Town and Country Club and Cromwell Museum.   This group have not yet met to discuss the project.Anna, speaking after the meeting, says she did not believe the process was being rushed.“There is no rush - the timeline is clearly laid out - the crucial next steps are securing architecture services and the establishment of the stakeholder group. We are determined to get the best result possible for our community.”

Blossom Festival organisers will be required to repay a $26,000 grant to the Central Otago District Council within the next month, after a request to keep the money had to be rejected yesterday. The event, the longest running community festival of its kind in New Zealand, was cancelled on September 8 due to Covid restrictions. Following a request from the Alexandra Blossom Festival Committee Inc. to use the money to off-set a $63,500 loss, the Vincent Community Board was presented with options to either allow this or require the funds be repaid to council. Council staff pointed out to the community board, however, that to not require repayment would be in breach of council policy.   Board chairperson Martin McPherson, Blossom Festival’s event managerBoard chairperson Martin McPherson, who is also the festival’s event manager, did not take part in the discussion due to possible conflicts of interest but deputy chair, Russell Garbutt, queried why the Board had been presented with the options if council policy precluded the second from being chosen. CODC Chief Executive Sanchia Jacobs responded that the item had been included on the meeting’s agenda due to the high level of community and board interest.The grants policy requires funds to be returned if a project does not proceed. This had been acknowledged in a letter to the Board from festival organisers following the event’s cancellation, which asked that the group keep the grant to minimise losses. They had intended to use the funds to cover “significant management and administration costs incurred during the year”.CODC marketing and media manager Alison Mason recommended the Board decline the request, noting the group had a surplus of $176, 798 on its books. She acknowledged the current extremely challenging environment for holding events and said the group would have opportunity to return to council and apply for future funding.Speaking during a public forum during the online meeting, festival committee treasurer, Nigel Smellie, said Covid-19 had “put a big spanner in the works” not only in forcing cancellation but in relation to other activity. A small ‘community thank-you’ event planned for later in the year was among those activities now being reassessed. Contestable Funding A ChallengeThe Board yesterday grappled with its first round of community grant applications under a new policy which makes the process contestable. Aimed at opening up opportunities to a wider range of applicants, some board members felt that because some community groups had come to rely on the fund, the new policy made it difficult to balance that with financing new and one-off projects.Reviews into the policy would be held in November, the meeting heard. Fourteen applications were considered and chairman Martin McPherson reminded the board there would be repercussions from their decisions which involved some “tough calls”.  Among the successful applicants were the Galloway Hall Committee, Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust, Salvation Army, Earnscleugh Community Society, Alexandra District Museum Inc., Alexandra and District Youth Trust, Keep Alexandra Clyde Beautiful, Shaky Bridge Reserve Group and the Alexandra Community Advice Network. 

High numbers of young people taking up vaping - many who have never smoked cigarettes - partly prompted a move yesterday to ban the practice at Central Otago’s council-owned parks, playgrounds and facilities.New signage will be erected and Cancer Society health promotion co-ordinator for Central Otago, Jamie Seymour, yesterday told the Central Otago District Council the group would assist with promoting the vaping-free message.She said a “large cohort” of young people were now vaping and as research had progressed its damaging effects were becoming clearer.The problem was growing with students even vaping on school buses. In Central Otago, according to the 2018 census, 87% of people were now non-smokers but this statistic did not account for vaping.Excise taxes on tobacco products were not “par for par” on tobacco compared with vaping products, Jamie said.Cancer Society health promotion coordinator, Jamie SeymourEnforcement of the new ban was not perceived to be a problem, she said, as people could generally be relied upon to act appropriately.Cr Martin McPherson agreed that people would likely ask someone to stop smoking or vaping in a banned area.“People feel empowered now to turn around and say something. It’s the court of public opinion”The change to the council’s existing smokefree policy would not be publicly consulted but would be reviewed on a three-year cycle, yesterday’s council meeting heard.“There is plenty of evidence and it’s a great opportunity to take the lead and do the right thing”, Cr Neil Gillespie said.The council have no control over the sale of vaping products.Yesterday’s meeting was livestreamed due to Covid-19 restrictions and a link will be provided on the council website for anyone wishing to view proceedings. No council or community board meetings have been cancelled due to the pandemic this year with operations swiftly going online when lockdowns were announced.The council excluded the public yesterday to discuss a minor boundary adjustment, the William Fraser Coal-fired boiler replacement, Lake Dunstan Water Supply Project report, a contract for the provision of Enviroschools education and internal council business.